Novel photolytic decomposition method of organic compounds with a high output low-pressure mercury lamp for voltammetric trace metal analysis

A high output low-pressure mercury lamp, 400 W L-Hg, was successfully used for the photolytic decomposition of dissolved oganic compounds as the pretreatment for the determination of trace metal ion in aqueous solution by stripping voltammetry. Various amino acids, showing interferences on voltammetric determination of metal ions, can be removed quite easily by intensive UV irradiation at room temperature. Effect of pH, concentration of electrolyte and dissolved oxygen on the efficiency of photolysis are also described. This method uses no additional chemicals such as acids or oxidants and can be carried out in closed clean conditions.